Dropping Pretence

They slowly started to drink milk and Tsukiho absentmindly listen to the conversation between adults. They talked about politics between Uchiha and the tension between clan and the village, and their political stances. Mostly Fugaku started to ask more questions about those things and Naori answered to his questions.

She knew her grandmother was a peaceful person from the nature. But with changing eras, she was forced to learn politics and many more things as the time goes by. She could become a good female clanhead but due to defection of Madara, she was forced to step down. Although she was still well respected, she didn't get a chance to engage in politics in the clan anymore.

Though she had to went through many hardships, she never blamed Madara even Tsumiki, so was Tsukiho who didn't have any hatred towards him to begin with.

Moreover even if she had, it wasn't towards him but black zetsu who destroyed countless Uchiha with manipulations.

She slowly put the cup on the table and looked at Itachi who is staring at her. Then she also stared back with a smile on her face. After some moments she cough to get attention from the adults.

"Grandma, clanhead, can I go to the park with Itachi?" She asked politely.

"Hmm, good idea for you two kiddos to get to know each others." Fugaku said. "But be careful"

"I know I can't stop you sweety. But you can only go to the park. And take care of Itachi ok" Naori faintly smiled.

"Yup, I promise you that I'll take care of my little brother. See ya later aunt Mikoto!" She waved her hand at them and took Itachi's hand from the other hand.

"See ya later Tsukiho! Take care of yourself too!" Mikoto gently said.

Then both of them headed to the park and sat on the bench near the lake. Tsukiho carefully looked at Itachi before sighing.

"There is no need to pretend Itachi. Just say what you want to say. Though I really want to be a big sister, if you don't like it I won't push you for that anymore. I could see that you are somewhat uncomfortable with your parents. I could understand that there are always something that we can't share with them. But that doesn't mean you should keep them to yourself. I mean don't try to do everything on your own. It only lead you to make bad decisions.

Ah...? Just never mind, I really don't know what to say? Seeing your chakra I really want to spank you with a stick. Ya know"

Her last comment made Itachi to laugh out loud as Tsukiho embarrassingly looked at the sky. "It is the first time I've seen father bring outsiders to home." He broke the awkward silence between them.

"Yeah, I also kinda figured that out. He is definitely in a huge stress. His chakra feel like want to spike out. I guess being a clan leader is really suck." Tsukiho unconsciously said.

"You can feel it? How so?" Itachi wondered.

"Oh I have a special perception ability like Yamanaka clan. In shortly I am a sensor." She said.

"I guess it help you to know people very well" Itachi looked into her eyes.

"Yeah I guess so. It is first time I've seen someone who is in the same age as me." She looked away with a smile.

"Do you really have someone like that?" He suddenly asked.

"Like what?"

"Someone you can say everything without hiding."

"Yeah, though he is little grumpy for his age. Hahaha. But he always listened to me. And always give the excuse that he has nothing to do. Though everyone misunderstood him, me and grandma knew he is really a kind person. He taught me many things. He is someone that I really look up to." Madara's old face came to her mind as she smiled.

"Seems like he is a great person." Itachi slowly muttered.

"Yes, he is. He really a great person, he suffered a lot." She muttered.

Seeing her eyes filled with admiration and respect he smiled softly. "Actually I don't mind to be your little brother." Tsukiho was taken aback by what he said.

"At first I thought you are just a spoiled princess. Seems like I was wrong for the first time"

"Hahaha" she awkwardly scratched her temple. Then she got a serious look in her eyes. "There will be a plenty of times when you will get wrong Itachi. That's why we have friends, teachers or allies to share our problems as well as our happiness. That's also one of reasons I want to make friends. It may be crazy but who knows what will happen in the future" she giggled.

"Yes, you are right" seeing his smile she put a hand on his shoulders.

"If you want to let it out, you can even talk to me. It is easy like that" seeing he looked away from the embarrassment, she laughed while walking around the lake.

"Actually where do you live in? As an Uchiha isn't it a rule to live in here?" Itachi suddenly asked.

"I don't know there is such a rule. But I guess my grandma and father is an exception for that though I don't know the reason" after a moment of silence she said. "As for I live in...." she looked at the lake. "an island. I live in an island"

"Alone?" A question mark appeared on his head.

"Yeah pretty much." She sighed. "Some times people come there. But most of them don't have any good intentions. So we have to fight to protect ourselves."

"Have you...." He looked at her with wide eyes. "...killed a person before?"

"I guess I am not" she ignored her previous life. "Father told me that it is too early for me to do something like that. And I should enjoy my childhood to the fullest." Coners of her lips slightly turned upwards.

"So I only fight with them. But I am still very small for that I think. I can only fight with one or two at the most when I use taijutsu and kenjutsu. So I always assist my father and mother with my ninjutsu."

"You can use ninjutsu? Can you show one?" He looked at her carefully.

"No problem, I'll show you something we Uchiha need to learn. It will be good for you." She faced to the lake and stood little away from Itachi.

Then she slowly did handsigns to let him to see clearly and mold chakra and took a deep breath. Then she spit a large fire ball towards the lake.

"Fire style fire ball jutsu"